You have got to try getting high in Kigali! Seriously. The higher you get, the better the experience, man. Seriously. Dude. Ok… that was my attempt at being funny by alluding to get all potted up on the marijuana.

I think we can all agree that this attempt at humour has failed. Lets never discuss this again.

But what we can talk about is how amazingly beautiful Kigali is and the best way to take advantage of the views is by climbing up a hill and then climbing up to the top floor of a building. These five spots are the best views I’ve found so far.

kLab – Kacyiru

The kLab takes up the entire 6th floor of Telecom House in Kacyiru and, though this prime viewing spot is actually an office space for IT people in Rwanda, they’re pretty open to visitors and also run regular events. So you should be able to weasel your way up to the top floor one way or another. The best part about this view is that you’ve got an almost 360 degree view of the city from Kacyiru back across to Nyarutarama and Gacuriro plus you can see over to Kimihurura and then across to town and beyond. If you’re lucky enough to be up here during a crazy rain storm it’s pretty spectacular.

Manor Hotel – Nyarutarama

So the photo above is mostly of the hotel, the pool and the puffy clouds and doesn’t show the view at all, really, but it’s all I had! The view from the manor is one of my favourites, partly because you can take it in from beneath the ridiculous circus-like tent at Shere Sardar but mostly because you can a great panorama of a lot of the city. Once you start to be able to identify Kigali’s main buildings, this is a good place to come to see how the city fits together and where everything is. Plus you can eat Indian food or sip a cocktail at the same time which you can’t really argue with.

MTN Centre – Nyarutarama

Sip a coffee on Bourbon’s balcony and take in an amazing view back over Green Hills school down the back of Nyarutarama. The view is the opposite side of the hill to the one you get from the Manor Hotel and it’s a lot more green and countryside-ish.

Papyrus – Kimihurura

I’m guessing that most of us only wander into Papyrus when the sun has gone down. In fact, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen Papyrus during the daytime hours and I even had to outsource this photo (thanks Sean!) to capture it in sunny and sober light. But whether you’re here during the day or whether you lurk in the rooftop shadows under the moonlight, you have to agree that the view is pretty spectacular.

Sun City Hotel – Nyamirambo

When I mentioned to a friend that I was planning on writing an article about the best views in Kigali, he told me about Sun City Hotel deep into the cobbled streets of Nyamirambo. I’d heard about this place but had never been until recently when I accidentally stumbled onto it. My friend speaks the truth – I think their rooftop bar set atop a three story concrete tower might be my winner for the best view in the city. Add in friendly service and some fine brochettes and it makes an awesome place for some panoramic views of Kigali and you also get a glimpse at the farmland surrounding the city.

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About Kirsty

A Canadian who left in 2001 to wander around the world in search of sun, beautiful views and goat brochettes. Found Kigali in July 2010 and it seems like the perfect fit. I expect to be here until I get kicked out for defiantly walking on the grass while wearing flip flops.

7 Comments

I concur!!! I would also add Ten-to-Two in Nyamirambo to this list, especially at night, even though the service usually sucks. (The food’s good, though, if you don’t mind waiting 3 hours and then getting overcharged by about 150% and fighting with the sever for what’s left of your dignity.)

Hi Phillip
It is possible to get to the top of Grand Pension Plaza but only if secutiry lets you and I think that for the moment it is closed. That monstosity on the top is meant to be a viewing platform.
Aother good place to get a great view is on top of Mont Kigali. If you follow the signs for fazenda sengha you will eventually arrive at the top. On one side you get great views of the whole of Kigali and on the other side on a clear day you can see as far as Ruhengeri. Someone is also building what looks like a new bar up there too which would be a good place for sunday lunch always depending on the quality of food etc.

Thank you guys for visiting my country,i really appreciate, believe me ,i really love to see foreigners moving around my beautiful country,i’m always like OMG what a blessing,this county is beautiful,safe,it is taking a step to the development and people from all over the world loves it….

I was abroad for 5years and when i came back in Kigali,i could barely recognize places,a lot had taken place!!…Just come back after few years,you won’t believe your eyes!!!!!!

Hey,in your comments do not forget to mention that the very beautiful people of Rwanda are so friendly and that they are so welcoming…

Special thanks to Henderson,you are not like those who come here with negative thoughts and instead of enjoying the beauty that God gave Rwanda,they just stress themselves posting pictures they took from some dirty places just to prove that Rwanda is another miserable African country!!(Believe me,dirty places and poor people are everywhere in the world)you have proved them wrong dude!

stayed at the manor hotel in kigali was a amazing experience with breath taking views from the top. staff were friendly and food was great. Credit to the owner/manager for such a amazing place, wanted to thank him in person but did not know who he was, definately going again in few years